Herm & Schrader Podcast – Episode Summary
Episode: NASCAR Drivers Flipping & Spinning & Spinning & Flipping
Air Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Kenny Wallace and Kenny Schrader (with Craig Moore)
Podcast: Herm & Schrader (Dirty Mo Media, SiriusXM)
Overview: Midwestern Laughter, Racing Stories & NASCAR Headlines
This episode serves up the signature blend of irreverent humor, old-school racing stories, and sharp takes on current events in motorsport, straight from two of NASCAR’s most beloved “Kenny”s. Broadcasting from Missouri, Wallace and Schrader riff on everything from sentimental car numbers, legendary flips at Placerville, and the business of modern NASCAR, to heartfelt moments and classic “dirt wisdom.” Craig Moore joins in, steering the show through topics, trivia, and the ever-important joke segment.
Main Themes:
- The significance (or insignificance) of car numbers and driver identity
- NASCAR drivers moonlighting (and flipping) in dirt midgets at Placerville
- Recent racing events and old stories from the road and shop
- NASCAR’s new $2 million “Driver Ambassador Program” and changing media landscape
- Celebrating legends: NHRA’s John Force, Doug Kalitta, and dirt ace Jonathan Davenport
- Midwest humor, motorcycles, and personal anecdotes
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Emotional Attachment vs. Indifference: The Car Number Debate
[03:03] – [07:00]
- Wallace explains the deep family significance of his No. 36, tracing it through family history and personal milestones.
- Schrader, by contrast, is thoroughly indifferent:
“I could give a rat’s whatever about what number my car is… Numbers are not, they don’t make any difference for scoring the race anymore because we have transponders. … If someone has a big emotional tie or the fan does or whatever, that’s fine. I just don’t have it.” – Kenny Schrader [03:10]
Notable Moment:
- Wallace tells the backstory of his number: his father’s car, him being the third son, and being born in 1963 (“36” backward).
- The difference in philosophy becomes a running joke and heartfelt thread.
2. Charity Rides, Motorcycles & Trikes
[08:50] – [12:45]
- Schrader’s penchant for motorcycles surfaces (“I got five or six motorcycles”), with Honda as his favorite.
- Detailed breakdown of the upcoming 2025 Kyle Petty Charity Ride:
- Nine-day, cross-country ride: Sonoma to Charlotte, with stops at Coker Tire, Graceland, Tail of the Dragon, and Victory Junction.
- Victory Junction Gang Camp is praised for its impact on sick children.
Quotes:
“When we go, I get started because when going that ride and Anna go with me. So we’ll take a Gold Wing trike… I have not fallen down since I put the third wheel on the bike. Made a huge difference.” – Kenny Schrader [09:36]
3. “Wrecks,” “Accidents,” and Motorcycling Mishaps
[13:38] – [16:19]
- Craig Moore confesses he’s “not a motorcycle person”: “The next time I ride a motorcycle will be the first time that I don’t wreck.” [13:00]
- Schrader shares a story about distinguishing a wreck (avoidable) vs. accident (unavoidable)—in classic Dick Trickle logic.
Notable Quip:
“Trickle, Craig… would say to me, that was 50% your fault wrecking after Charlotte Motor Speedway… ‘The guy run into me!’ ‘Kenny, my boy, you went on the racetrack.’” – Herman Schrader channeling Dick Trickle [15:56]
4. Schrader & Wallace: Racing Recaps and Bragging Rights
[19:42] – [25:36]
- Schrader details his strong showing at the Turkey Bowl in Springfield, MO:
- 7th to 6th in A-Mod; 16th to 12th in B-Mod against a massive field (over 500 cars across classes).
- Wallace underscores how tough local competition really is and the gulf between “NASCAR” drivers and dirt ringers.
- Both share their season victories, referencing advice from Earnhardt Sr. (“Just because you’re a NASCAR driver doesn't mean you’re better than anybody”).
5. Placerville Midget Show: Flips & Hendrick's Nerves
[25:58] – [34:18]
- Big story: NASCAR stars running the USAC midget show at Placerville, California.
- Corey Day, the latest Hendrick prospect, flips spectacularly days after being announced as the full-time driver of the Hendrickcars.com No. 17 in Xfinity/Bush (O’Reilly) Series.
- Kyle Larson also crashes, but “more of a tumble” than a “hard flip”.
- Schrader and Wallace recall the “black eyes” and blood-vessel-busting accidents from years past (Ricky Rudd, John Hunter Nemechek).
Quote:
“I had a little texting session with Mr. Rick [Hendrick]… letting Kyle [Larson] do it, but he’s holding his breath the whole time.” – Kenny Schrader [31:03]
- Wallace debates letting young drivers take big dirt risks after signing with Cup teams: “Make your $100 million in NASCAR… your dirt fans will be waiting for you.” [30:21]
6. Car Numbers, SVG, and Trackhouse Swaps
[36:20] – [38:08]
- SVG (Shane Van Gisbergen) moved to NASCAR with the return of his iconic No. 97; Connor Zillich tags to the 88. SVG is visibly emotional about the number.
- Schrader: “You already know where I’m at on numbers… If it means that much to SVG, that’s great.”
- Wallace appreciates the cultural impact and emotional resonance for international drivers.
7. NASCAR’s Driver Ambassador Program (“DAP”): Getting Paid to Promote
[38:08] – [44:26]
- New NASCAR initiative: drivers earn points and up to $1 million per half-season for promoting NASCAR through appearances, talk shows, and community involvement.
- Joey Logano wins first half, Ross Chastain the second.
- Wallace laments: “NASCAR gave away $2 million because the drivers are so damn lazy now that they just won’t talk about the sport.”
- Schrader corrects: “Not that they’re so damn lazy. It’s a bonus for going above and beyond.” [40:15]
Examples of Promo Appearances:
- Logano on Jimmy Kimmel
- Chase Elliott at ACMs
- Bubba Wallace on Sesame Street & GMA
- Kyle Larson on “Pat McAfee Show”
8. Classic Stories: Smoke Johnson & Stewardship of Dirt Racing
[46:01] – [49:07]
- Wallace defends dirt racing’s legitimacy and notes how Cup drivers elevate short-track races (“spotlight is much brighter”).
- The “Smoke Johnson” story: Tony Stewart would enter races under a pseudonym to avoid overcrowding and rowdy fans.
“He would go to these races… if they knew he was coming, it would be standing room only… He did not want anybody to know he was coming to the racetrack. … So he was entering as Smoke Johnson.” – Herman Schrader [47:56]
9. Superman Davenport, Jason Pursley’s Win & Racecraft Ethics
[49:07] – [54:30]
- Jonathan “Superman” Davenport is on a late-season tear, winning almost everything and solidifying his legend status.
- Jason Pursley wins $20K at Placerville, but faces crowd boos for besting Kyle Larson.
- Stories about how racing etiquette, rough driving, and “daredevil” attitudes have evolved:
“You’d get an eye blackened real quick … that stuff didn’t fly.” – Kenny Schrader on slide jobs and dirty driving [51:24]
10. NHRA Rainout & John Force’s Official Farewell
[55:25] – [58:57]
- Recap: NHRA final at Pomona rained out, unable to reschedule.
- Doug Kalitta clinches Top Fuel championship; John Force retires as a legend (16-time champion, 157 wins).
- Schrader on Force: “What a career… he was still winning when he got hurt.” [56:53]
- Force hints he might return for a burnout if fans are loud enough.
11. Outlaw Racing Milestones & Racing Families
[62:06] – [64:21]
- David Gravel wins back-to-back World of Outlaws championships, climbs the all-time wins chart.
- Schrader and Erin Evernham’s own Outlaw win at Grant City, “wingless”, gets a nod—“A lot better dirt racer than her husband.” [64:13]
- Fun stories about family mishaps—Rusty Wallace wrecking post-win while waving to the crowd.
12. Midwest Humor & Rapid-Fire Personal Q&A
[65:42] – [74:50]
- The traditional joke blitz (egg puns, soda “pop” gags), “get to know the Kennys” segment.
- First cars: Wallace’s hand-me-down '68 Chevelle, Schrader’s ‘64 Dodge van (“panelled the inside, burnt orange and white”).
- Favorite vacations: Schrader doubles down on racing at Volusia, Wallace raves about Rusty’s oasis in Cabo.
- Heartfelt stories about meeting their wives and their marriages, with anecdotes about Schrader’s emotional Hall of Fame induction.
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “I could give a rat’s whatever about what number my car is… Numbers are not… they don’t make any difference for scoring the race anymore… But if someone has a big emotional tie or the fan does, that’s fine.” – Kenny Schrader [03:10]
- “I’ve just been number 36 forever and makes sense.” – Kenny Wallace [06:40]
- “When we go, I get started because… Anna go with me. So we’ll take a Gold Wing trike on that ride because I have not fallen down since I put the third wheel on the bike.” – Kenny Schrader [09:36]
- “The next time I ride a motorcycle will be the first time that I don’t wreck.” – Craig Moore [13:00]
- “Make your $100 million in NASCAR… your dirt fans will be waiting for you.” – Kenny Wallace [30:21]
- “I had a little texting session with Mr. Rick [Hendrick]… letting Kyle [Larson] do it, but he’s holding his breath the whole time.” – Kenny Schrader [31:03]
- “NASCAR gave away $2 million because the drivers are so damn lazy now that they just won’t talk about the sport.” – Kenny Wallace [38:56]
- “It’s a bonus for going above and beyond.” – Kenny Schrader clarifies [40:15]
- “He would go to these races… he was entering as Smoke Johnson so that way he could race the car without people… that’s kind of how it started because he was so damn popular.” – Herman Schrader [47:56]
- “You’d get an eye blackened real quick … that stuff didn’t fly.” – Kenny Schrader on old-school driving ethics [51:24]
- On John Force’s retirement: “What a career… He was still winning when he got hurt.” – Kenny Schrader [56:53]
- “A lot better dirt racer than her husband.” – Schrader, joking about Erin Evernham vs. Ray Evernham [64:13]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Introductions & Number Debate: [01:36] – [07:00]
- Missouri, Shops, and Motorcycles: [07:00] – [12:45]
- Bike Mishaps & “Wreck” vs. Accident: [13:38] – [16:19]
- Racing Recaps (Turkey Bowl): [19:42] – [25:36]
- Placerville Flips & NASCAR Stars: [25:58] – [34:18]
- Car Numbers/SVG News: [36:20] – [38:08]
- Driver Ambassador Program (DAP): [38:08] – [44:26]
- Tony Stewart/Smoke Johnson: [47:56]
- Jonathan Davenport’s Streak: [49:07] – [50:04]
- Racing Etiquette (Bumpers and Bravery): [51:24] – [54:30]
- NHRA Rainout/John Force Retirement: [55:25] – [58:57]
- Outlaw Racing & Family Stories: [62:06] – [65:36]
- Midwest Jokes & Personal Q&A: [65:42] – [74:50]
Tone & Style
- Casual, quick-fire storytelling and banter; heavy with Midwestern humor and nostalgia.
- Frank opinions, friendly ribbing, and heartfelt tributes woven with racing trivia and current events.
- Honest and accessible, welcoming to diehard fans and newcomers alike.
For First-Time Listeners: What You’ll Get from This Episode
- A rollicking, lively conversation that goes well beyond NASCAR headlines, digging deep into what makes racing culture tick—family, tradition, risk, and relationships.
- Unvarnished personality from two of America’s most charismatic racing veterans.
- Unique behind-the-scenes perspective on modern NASCAR, the enduring grittiness of short-track dirt racing, and what it means to be a “racer’s racer,” whether you care about your car number or not.
End Note:
“You better keep your mouth shut. Okay, next subject.” – Kenny Schrader, summing up the show’s unfiltered soul [44:39]